In the Baltimore Ravens' first draft in 1996, Ozzie Newsome chose scouting reports over glitz in making the franchise's first-ever pick. Highly-touted running back Lawrence Phillips of Nebraska was available. But the Ravens used the No. 4 overall choice on offensive left tackle Jonathan Ogden from UCLA. In the boom-or-bust world of the draft, that choice was the definition of a perfect pick.

For a guy who makes a living critiquing others created a cottage industry out of it, even Mel Kiper Jr. sounds a little thin-skinned when it comes to how others perceived him way back when. Back before he became a first-name-suffices celebrity. Before the NFL draft felt like a made-for-TV event.

Everything about Jonathan Ogden is a little larger than life. It's more obvious away from the football field, which is where the 6-9, 345-pound Ogden will now spend his time. The 12-year veteran offensive tackle announced his retirement on Thursday at the Baltimore Ravens' training facility, the latest exit among NFL players likely to crowd the 2013 ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jake Long had a big grin on his face as he slipped the ceremonial hat of his new team on his head. With good reason, because the Miami Dolphins had already agreed to pay the top draft pick at least $30 million before he ever played a down in the NFL.